Psalms 51:8 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Let me hear sounds of joy and happiness again, so that my broken spirit can celebrate once more.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

David is asking God to restore his joy and heal his deeply wounded soul so he can be happy again.

📚 Historical Context

This is part of David's famous prayer of repentance after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. David uses the metaphor of broken bones to describe his spiritual and emotional anguish over his sin. In ancient times, broken bones represented complete devastation and helplessness.

Explore Similar Verses

1 Chronicles 15:16

David told the leaders of the Levites to choose their fellow Levites to be singers with musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals—making joyful sounds and lifting up their voices with happiness.

Nehemiah 12:43

That same day they offered many sacrifices and celebrated joyfully, because God had filled them with great happiness. The wives and children joined in the celebration too, and the sounds of Jerusalem's joy could be heard from far away.

Job 3:7

Look, let that night be completely alone and empty, let no happy sounds be heard in it.

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📚 Historical Context

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